Desires of a rich old man.-' Friday, 24. We rode by a fine seat; the owner of which (not much above fourscore years old) says he desires only to live thirty years longer; ten to hunt, ten to get money, (having at present but twenty thousand pounds a year,) and ten years to repent. O that God may not say unto him, "Thou fool, this night shall thy soul be required of thee!" (Ib. p. 531.)

Preaching on a mountain, and lodging under ground.—' I preached [June, 1752,] on the side of a mountain, to a large and earnest congregation, and then went on to Mellar-barn. I preached at six in the town; and I suppose all the inhabitants, young and old, were present. Nor have I often seen so large a congregation so universally and deeply affected. My lodging was not such as I should have chosen; but what Providence chooses, is always good. My bed was considerably under ground, the room serving both for a bed chamber and a cellar. The closeness was more troublesome at first than the coolness: but I let in a little fresh air, by breaking a pane of paper (put by way of glass) in the window; and then slept sound till the morning.' (Ib. p. 536.)

A rest week.—' Saturday, 14, [Oct.] About seven we sailed into Kingroad, and happily concluded our little voyage. I now rested a week at Bristol and Kingswood, preaching only morning and evening.'* (Ib. p. 544.)

Rejection for contention,-not for opinion.- Thursday, 26. I spoke severally to those of the society, and found they had been harassed above measure, by a few violent predestinarians, who had at length separated themselves from us. It was well they saved me the trouble; for I can have no connection with those who will be contentious. These I reject, not for their opinion, but for their sin; for their unchristian temper, and unchristian practice; for being haters of reproof, haters of peace, haters of their brethren, and, consequently, of God.' (Ib. p. 552.)

The above extract shows conclusively, that, although Mr. Wesley is well known to have been characteristically indulgent in regard to the individual opinions of the members of his societies, yet he would not allow persons to continue in them who were 'contentious,' and endeavoured to sow dissensions, (as our Discipline expresses it,) by inveighing against the doctrines (or the discipline) of the community into which they had asked and received admission.

for the sin' of such, however, that Mr. Wesley rejected them, and not for their opinions. The distinction must be obvious to the plainest capacity. On the same principle, exclusions from the Methodist Episcopal Church have taken place, in some instances, in this country. In these cases, that the true ground of such expulsions was not the opinions of the individuals, or the expression of their opinions, is perfectly well known to all the parties concerned. Yet

*This 'rest week' is commended to the attention of those who have the making of circuit plans. It reminds us of the anecdote of the German farmer, who said to his reapers, in a very sultry day,-'Boys, it is too hot to reap,-let us go to the barn and rest, and we will thresh while we rest.'

some of the leaders of those who had long been in the habit of using the most violent and intemperate language, and of systematically and periodically issuing the most inflammatory publications for the purpose of overthrowing the very foundations of the polity of the church, and who for these causes, among others, after full trial with right of appeal, had been expelled from the church whose polity and discipline they had thus for years, and even with gross abuse and slander, laboured to make contemptible and odious, still persist in stating to the public that they were expelled for their opinions! If they never before proved themselves unworthy of a place among us, surely they do it at least by thus pertinaciously persisting in a course recklessly subversive of the plainest obligations of moral propriety.*

Regard for discipline.-Friday, 5, [Oct. 1753.] After sermon I explained to them, at large, the nature and design of our societies; and desired that if any of them were willing to join therein, they would call on me, either that evening or in the morning. I made no account of that shadow of a society which was before, without classes, without order, or rules; having never seen, read, or heard the printed rules;

* The following anecdote of Mr. Wesley's characteristic forbearance in matters of opinion, provided it did not extend to sowing dissensions by inveighing, &c, is from Sutcliffe's Life of Valton,-a work which the author, (the Rev. Joseph Sutcliffe, A. M.) has kindly transmitted to us, with manuscript corrections and additions by himself; and which we have it in contemplation to issue from our own press.

[1765, Oct. 18.] 'I heard Mr. William Darney, at five, expound the sixty-third Psalm. The dry and thirsty state of the wilderness suited my experience. I could say, "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee."

[This preacher was a native of Scotland, and educated in high Calvinistic opinions. On joining Mr. Wesley, he professed a belief in the Methodist doctrines; yet the doctrine of sanctification, as taught by Mr. Wesley, he did not believe; and his favorite doctrine of the final and unconditional perseverance of the saints, he never renounced. As a master encourages his workmen, and as a general animates his army, so we should ever encourage the saints to persevere; yet this should not be done without all the strong and salutary cautions of the sacred writings.

With regard to indwelling sin, St. Clement, a companion of St. Paul, and Macarius, and all the primitive fathers, teach as the Methodists. But Augustine, though he had taught the same, yet, when aged and sick, fell into nervous infirmities, and became tirnid and fearful lest he should perish: he read the seven penitential psalms daily, with tears, and wrote his Retractions; among which he contended that the seventh chapter of the Epistle to the Romans was not, as he had formerly said, "delivered in a figure to bring over the Jews from legal bondage to the liberty of Christ, but was St. Paul's own experience."-Notwithstanding these opinions, Mr. Darney was a most laborious missionary man for more than twenty years, chiefly in the manufacturing districts, and in the north of England. It is true, he durst not preach these doctrines very openly; but he would do it with a friend, and in remote corners of the land. The Calvinists liked to hear him, and gave him the appellation of Scotch-Will.

Once, indeed, he was detected in a very remarkable manner, as was related to me by an aged Baptist minister in the north. He preached in a yard, and stood on a hogshead. In the discourse, he reverted to his favorite subject, perseverance: he declared that the saints could never fall; no, so sure as he stood there, they could never fall. The preacher here augmenting the powers of emphasis by a too heavy stamp of the foot, in went the head of the hogshead, along with the preacher; and it was with difficulty, he being corpulent, that his friends could extricate him.']

which ought to have been given them at their very first meeting.' (Ib. p. 563.)

The Capua of preachers.- Monday, 9, [June, 1755.-York.] I took my leave of the richest society, number for number, which we have in England. I hope this place will not prove (as Cork has for some time done) the Capua of our preachers.' (Ib. p. 582.)

Capua was a rich and flourishing city of Italy, in which Annibal's triumphant army was enervated by indulgence, after his great victory at Cannæ.

Days of thanksgiving.- Tuesday, 24. Observing in that valuable book, Mr. Gillies's "Historical Collections," the custom of Christian congregations in all ages to set apart seasons of solemn thanksgivings, I was amazed and ashamed that we had never done this, after all the blessings we had received: and many to whom I mentioned it gladly agreed to set apart a day for that purpose.' (Ib. p. 583.)

It was thus that Mr. Wesley, like the industrious bee, gathered honey from every flower, for the benefit of his societies; and showed himself the true eclectic Christian philosopher.

In hunger and thirst.—' About five I found the congregation waiting in a broad, convenient part of the street, in Redruth. I was extremely weary; and our friends were so glad to see me, that none once thought of asking me to eat or drink; but my weariness vanished when I began to speak. Surely God is in this place also.' (Ib. p. 586.)

A thought on death.- Friday 12. [Dec. 1755.] As I was returning from Zoar, I came as well as usual to Moorfields; but there my strength entirely failed, and such a faintness and weariness seized me, that it was with difficulty I got home. I could not but think, how happy it would be (suppose we were ready for the Bridegroom) to sink down and steal away at once, without any of the hurry and pomp of dying! Yet it is happier still to glorify God in our death, as well as our life.' (Ib. p. 592.)

Early Sunday Schools for blacks.- "I sent a few of each sort to my friend Mr. Wright, minister of Cumberland, about ninety miles hence; where there are not a few negroes thoughtful about Christianity, and sundry real converts: and, he informs me, they have met with a very agreeable and promising reception. He takes much pains in instructing them, and has set up two or three schools among them; where they attend on Sundays, before and after sermon: for they have no other leisure time." (Ib. p. 596.)

The above is part of a letter from the distinguished President Davies, then of Virginia, to Mr. Wesley, respecting the distribution of some books which he had received from Mr. Wesley for charitable distribution. The whole of that portion of the letter published by Mr. Wesley in the place above quoted, will be found very interesting.

Humility and charity.-President Davies.- "Though you and I may differ in some little things, I have long loved you and your brother, and wished and prayed for your success, as zealous revivers of experimental Christianity. If I differ from you in temper and design,

or in the essentials of religion, I am sure the error must lie on my side. Blessed be God for hearts to love one another!"' (Ib. p. 620.)

The preceding is an extract of another letter to Mr. Wesley from the same excellent man, the Rev. President Davies. It is dated, Hanover, (in Virginia,) Jan. 28, 1757;' and speaks of Mr. Wesley in a style very different from that to which his memory is used from some of our Calvinistic brethren in modern days.

Sitting at prayer.-[June, 1757.] 'I was much pleased with the seriousness of the people in the evening; but still I prefer the English congregation. I cannot be reconciled to men sitting at prayer, or covering their heads while they are singing praise to God.' (İb. p. 633.)

We earnestly wish that our beloved friends in the goodly city of New-York, or elsewhere, who seat our churches in such a manner as almost to compel people to sit at prayer,' would consider this matter. For our own part, we decidedly think standing preferable to sitting, in that solemn devotional act. But why either? O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.

Books for the poor. This morning Dr. Tisdale showed me a paper, which the archbishop had just sent to each of his clergy; exhorting them to erect a society for the distribution of books among the poor. Thanks be to God for this! Whether we or they, it is all one, so God be known, loved, and obeyed.' (Ib. pp. 652,653.)

Curious house of a scholar. This [May 16, 1758,] was the hottest day I ever felt in Ireland; near as hot as any I remember in Georgia. The next morning I was desired to see the house of an eminent scholar near the town. The door into the yard we found nailed up; but we got in at a gap which was stopped with thorns. I took the house, at first, for a very old barn, but was assured he had built it within five years; not indeed by any old, vulgar model, but purely to his own taste. The walls were part mud, part brick, part stone, and part bones and wood. There were four windows, but no glass in any, lest the pure air should be kept out. The house had two stories, but no stair case, and no door. Into the upper floor we went by a ladder through one of the windows; through one of the lower windows, into the lower floor, which was about four foot high. This floor had three rooms;-one thrée square, the second had five sides, the third, I know not how many. I give a particular description of this wonderful edifice, to illustrate that great truth :-There is no folly too great even for a man of sense, if he resolve to follow his own imagination.' (lb. p. 656.) Punctuality and perseverance. -Tuesday, 6. I set out at four, (the hour I had appointed,) on foot; the horse brought for me having neither bridle nor saddle. After a time, one galloped after me full speed, till, just as he overtook me, horse and man came down together. The horse's knee spouted out blood, as if an artery had been cut; but on a sudden the blood stopped, nor did he bleed any more all the way to Aghrim.' (Ib. p. 658.)

(To be concluded in our next number.)

72

ON SACRED POETRY.

[IN the following article, from the Wesleyan Methodist Magazine, besides an able discussion of the general subject, the reader will find some valuable criticisms on the composition of hymns, and on the Wesleyan hymns in particular; together with a comparison between Charles Wesley and Dr. Watts, as hymn-writers, in which a sentiment which we formerly expressed on this subject, in dissent from Mr. Montgomery, is very ably sustained. The essay greatly increases in interest in its porgress; and if we do not greatly mistake, few readers will rise from it, at its close, without high gratification.]

It is an observation which can scarcely fail to strike every intelligent and reflective mind, that notwithstanding all the lofty imaginings which have breathed a very soul of poetry into much of our current literature; pervading even such portions of it as are not professedly and distinctively poetical; but a very small part of that literature has been devoted to the illustration of religious truth, or of experimental piety. Its inspiration has, I think, been chiefly drawn from other sources than those bright and hallowed well-springs of spiritual life and freedom which would seem to afford the most delightful congenial animation and excitement to a vigorous intellect, originally cast by nature in the finest mould of genius, and gradually developed, in the unfolding beauty of its vital energies, into all the fervid sentiments of pure and elevated poetry. The final and efficient causes of this prevailing error, (if error it may be correctly deemed,) it is not my purpose thoroughly to investigate. They may, perhaps, be found among those fluctuating impulses of popular approbation, which, in modern times, have both permitted, and, in some sort, required, the too reckless indulgence of an exuberant imagination, regulated by no uniform and powerfully-controlling law of intellectual operation, and trusting rather for its effect to the awakened sympathy of the reader, than to any corresponding exertion on his part of the same lofty faculties whereby the subject was at first evolved out of the continuous manifestations of those profound affections in which it had its birth-place and its cradle. To me, this supposition appears at once to furnish a sufficient explanation of the acknowledged fact; and I incline to believe that, in connection with such an opinion, it would be no very difficult undertataking to show how the toleration-not to say positive demand-of a comparatively unintellectual kind of poetry should have induced a palpable neglect, by some of our most illustrious authors, of those sublimer arguments which are available only to searching, philosophic